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Submitted by: Patrick Foote

A bulging disc may naturally develop in one s adult years, after typical, age-related degenerative changes have begun to take place in the spinal column. The intervertebral discs, which are the pillow-like separators in between the stacked vertebrae, can weaken and lose height over time. When the discs can no longer maintain their shock-absorbing capabilities, other anatomical elements of the spine such as the muscles, ligaments, and even facet joints can be affected. Before exploring how a bulging disc develops, it is important to understand the purpose of intervertebral discs, as well as what they are made of.

Intervertebral Discs

The intervertebral discs are spongy pads of cushioning located in between the vertebrae. They help provide the spine with a high level of flexibility, as well as shock absorption. Discs are composed mainly of water and collagen fibers, giving the discs their malleability. The tough outer layer of a disc is known as the annulus fibrosus. A gelatinous material, called the nucleus pulposus, fills the center of each disc. Over time, the discs begin to dehydrate and the annulus fibrosus weakens. This weakening, coupled with the compression of the disc by adjacent vertebrae, causes the nucleus pulposus to expand outward and bulge. As the bulge worsens, it may pinch the spinal cord or a nerve root. This pinching causes localized pain, in addition to numbness, pain, muscle weakness, and tingling that may spread to the extremities. If nerve compression does not occur, a bulging disc may never cause symptoms.

Risk Factors for a Bulging Disc

While age is typically the largest factor in the development of a bulging disc, there are other risk factors to be aware of. These can include:

Obesity

Repetitive movements, such as lifting, twisting, and bending

Smoking

Excessive vibrations from heavy machinery or vehicles

There is no way to prevent a bulging disc from occurring, but taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle, avoid high-impact sports, and limit other activities that place too much stress on the back and neck may lower the chances of development.

Treatment Options for a Bulging Disc

If a bulging disc is causing pain or other forms of discomfort, a doctor may suggest conservative (non-invasive) treatment options, including a couple days of rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, low-impact exercise, physical therapy, weight loss, and hot/cold therapy. You may also discuss more targeted pain management techniques with your doctor, such as epidural steroid injections, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound therapy, and pain patches, among others. Surgery may be necessary if several weeks or months of conservative treatments fail to provide symptomatic relief, but this only occurs in about 10 percent of people diagnosed with a bulging disc. In the event that surgery does become an option, be sure to talk to your doctor about all the surgical techniques that are available. Inquire about the risks, levels of invasiveness, and projected recovery periods for each procedure before deciding on any type of surgery. Doing some research of your own about spine surgery will help you to have an informed discussion with your doctor and prospective surgeons.

About the Author: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for

bulging discs

and several other spinal conditions.

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